Ky.gov

Order of Selection

​​​Order of Selection Update

​Federal law requires vocational rehabilitation programs to serve people with the most significant disabilities first when funding is limited. This process is called an Order of Selection. 

On May 14, 2025, the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (KYOVR) put an Order of Selection in place and temporarily closed all priority categories because available funding was fully committed to individuals already receiving services. 

Since May 14, 2025, KYOVR has:
  • ​Updated federal priority category definitions
  • Received federal approval for the priority category definitions
  • Updated the federal State Plan
  • Developed new state administrative regulations
  • Filed emergency and ordinary state administrative regulations
KYOVR continues to monitor funding and reviewing data to responsibly serve from the waitlist. Pre-Employment Transition Services, Independent Living/Older Individuals who are Blind funds are not impacted. 

Under and Order of Selection:
  • Individuals who already have an approved Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) will continue to receiving services. 
  • New applicants will receive guidance, counseling, and information/referral while eligibility is determined, and a priority category is assigned. 

  • If found eligible, the individual may be placed on a waiting list and served later based on their priority category and application date. 


The updated priority categories are as follows:

  • Priority Category 1: Individual with most a most significant disability is an individual with a disability who has been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, requires multiple vocational rehabilitation services for a period of six (6) months or more, and experiences serious limitations in four (4) or more areas of functional capacity, in terms of an employment outcome. 
  • Priority Category 2: Individual with a significant disability is an individual with a disability who has been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, requires multiple vocational rehabilitation services for a period of six (6) months or more and experiences serious limitations in three (3) areas of functional capacity, in terms of an employment outcome. 
  • Priority Category 3: Individual with a significant disability is an individual with a disability who has been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, requires multiple vocational rehabilitation services for a period of six (6) months or more, and experiences serious limitations in one (1) to two (2) areas of functional capacity, in terms of an employment outcome.
  • ​Priority Category 4: Individual with a disability is in individual who has been determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation​ services and does not meet the criteria for priority categories 1, 2, or 3. 


The following resources provide additional information:

​​Letter of Implementation


 


      Understanding Order of Selection - Tri-Fold, Spanish​​​
      Understanding Order of Selection - Portrait, Spanish​​​​​​




​​​​​​​​​​​Need​ more help? Contact us

Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Central Office
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 1st Floor SE
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-4440
800-372-7172 (V/TTY)

​More Information​​


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